JP5860414B2 - Nail treatment device and nail file dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a nail treatment device. The present invention also relates to a nail file dispensing device that may be incorporated into the nail treatment device or may be separate from the nail treatment device. The device of the present invention can be used for therapeutic and non-therapeutic treatments of fingernails and toenails conditions, including but not limited to fungal nails (onychomycosis).

  Fungal nails are caused by the invasion of dermatophytes into the nail bed, and yellow, brown, or white discolored parts appear on the nails. Onychomycosis is a degenerative condition that, if left untreated, invading dermatophytes spread proximally through the nail plate and nail bed, resulting in damage to the nail plate and eventually nail The instep peels off. People who suffer from fungal nails often care about the poor appearance of the nails and want to improve the appearance of the nails.

  It is well known that local treatment of fungal nail is performed by applying a fungal nail treatment solution to the nail. Some treatments require complete removal of the nail, and other treatments require the nail bed to be removed before applying the fungal nail treatment solution. For example, a product sold under the name ClearZal® BAC contains a liquid containing 0.1 w / w% benzalkonium chloride and provides a nail file to grind the nail before applying the liquid . Such grinding can increase the effectiveness, but the reuse of nail files can be achieved by moving the hyphae or spores from an infected nail to a non-infected nail or a recently cured nail or other nail or other Helps spread the spread of human nails. The user may be prompted to purchase a new nail file, which causes further trouble.

  It is an object of the present invention to address these problems and to provide an apparatus that can easily supply a nail file.

  In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a body having a reservoir for nail treatment liquid, an applicator for applying the nail treatment liquid to a nail portion, a chamber in the body, located in the chamber, and an outlet There is provided a nail treatment device comprising a plurality of nail files capable of removing one at a time from the chamber through an opening.

  By providing the body with a chamber capable of receiving and storing a plurality of nail files so that the nail files can be removed one at a time through the outlet opening, the device can provide the user with a nail file. Provide a simple supply of In addition, once each nail file has been used, the user can be prompted to discard it each time.

  The reservoir can be formed by a housing removably connected to the body. By removing the housing, the apparatus can be used easily, and the liquid in the housing can be easily accessed. The housing may be connected directly to the main body or indirectly. Alternatively, the reservoir may be provided within the body or may be integral with the body.

  The housing can be connected to the body by a screw connection. By doing so, the housing can be easily detached from the main body. Other forms of connection are also possible that allow the reservoir housing to be removed from the body, for example a bayonet connection or a magnetic coupling.

  Different forms of liquid applicators for applying the liquid supplied from the reservoir are also possible. In some embodiments, the applicator can be removably connected to the body with or without a reservoir comprising a removable housing. The applicator may be connected directly to the main body or indirectly.

  The applicator and reservoir housing can be removed as a unit from the body to facilitate application of the nail treatment solution. Alternatively, the applicator can be separately removable. If the applicator and reservoir are removed as a unit from the body, the unit can be attached to the body by a shape-fit connection. In particular, the applicator and housing can be attached to the body by a collar, which is preferably removable from the body.

  The applicator can also be removably connected to the housing. This is advantageous, for example, when the applicator comprises a brush and the user immerses the brush in the nail treatment liquid and transfers the treatment liquid to the nail. The applicator may be directly connected to the reservoir housing or indirectly connected.

  The applicator and reservoir are not limited to any particular form. Rather than a brush and bottle, the applicator can alternatively be placed at the outlet point of the reservoir to receive liquid from a reservoir that may include a valve or the like that controls the delivery of the liquid. For example, in a manner known per se, the user may be able to press the reservoir to dispense nail treatment liquid. The applicator can comprise an application element such as a nozzle or a foam pad through which the liquid applied to the nail passes.

  The reservoir can be located at one end of the body and the chamber can be located at the other end of the body. This provides a simple configuration of the device that allows easy access to the liquid in the reservoir and easy access to the nail file in the chamber.

  The nail treatment device can be a fungus nail treatment device, and the nail treatment solution can be a fungus nail treatment solution. Preferably, the composition of the nail treatment solution is described in the applicant's patent application filed concurrently on the same day. Other forms of nail treatment devices are also within the scope of the present invention and can be applied to achieve both therapeutic and non-therapeutic effects. Of course, the device is not limited to the application of nail treatment liquid to the nail, but as an alternative or in addition to applying the nail treatment liquid to another nail part, eg nail bed It can also be used.

  The nail treatment device can include a dispensing mechanism that operates to dispense the nail file one at a time from the exit opening. This feature advantageously helps remove nail files one by one.

  According to a second aspect, the present invention is adapted to receive a body, a chamber in the body for receiving a plurality of nail files and having an outlet opening, and dispensing nail files one at a time through the outlet opening. A nail file dispensing device having a dispensing mechanism that operates.

  The dispensing device constitutes an arrangement that is effective for individually feeding several nail files that can be easily dispensed for use of one nail file at a time when needed.

  The nail file dispensing device includes connection means for connecting the body to a housing or container for nail treatment liquid and / or an applicator for applying nail treatment liquid to the nail portion. The nail file dispensing device can advantageously be connected to a housing for nail treatment liquid and / or an applicator for applying nail treatment liquid to the nail to form a multi-function device. The nail file dispensing device can be integrated with the nail treatment device. Alternatively, the nail file dispensing device may be completely separate from the housing and applicator, or these items may be used independently.

  In a preferred construction, the nail file is stacked in a chamber and the dispensing mechanism has a biasing means for biasing the nail file toward the dispensing position where the nail file is located, which can be dispensed at any time by operation of the dispensing mechanism. I have. For example, the dispense position may be adjacent to the outlet opening.

  The dispensing mechanism can comprise an element operable by a user to at least partially push a single nail file out of the chamber. This element may be movable or, for example, an electronic sensor.

  In a simple and convenient form, the dispensing mechanism can be manually operable. Thus, the element can be connected to a pressing means for applying a force to the end of the nail file in the dispensing position ready to be dispensed. In particular, the dispensing element can be a sliding member that is movable toward the outlet opening.

  At least five nail files can be housed in the chamber. Thus, a sufficient number of nail files can be supplied to the user, and if one nail file is used per week, it has at least one month.

  The dispensing device can include blocking means to prevent the user from reinserting the nail file into the chamber through the outlet opening. This encourages or minimizes cross-use of the nail file. Nail files are to be discarded by the user once they are used for grinding nails. By preventing the user from reinserting the used nail file into the chamber, the user will not be able to store the used nail file in the device and will be prompted to discard the used nail file At the same time, it reminds me to use the new nail file the next time I do nail treatment. This may be particularly important in some applications, for example in the treatment of fungal nails where the nail file can be reused so that the user can infect the nail again or infect other nails. The blocking means may be another nail file that still exists in the device itself, for example, a nail file at a dispensing location where the next nail file can be dispensed at any time. The blocking means may additionally or alternatively comprise, for example, a biasing flap that extends over the outlet opening.

  The apparatus can be configured to replenish nail files. The user can advantageously refill the device once all the nail files of the device are used up. For example, the body can include two shells that can be separated so that a user can access the chamber to replenish the chamber with a supply of new nail files.

  The nail file can be a conventional form, for example, a plate coated with carborundum. The nail file can be any shape and size and the device is configured accordingly.

  The nail treatment device can be configured to replenish the liquid in the reserve. This may involve exchanging the reservoir or refilling the reservoir. The applicator can include punch penetration means that break the seal to access the liquid in the reservoir.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nail treatment device. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the nail treatment device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the nail file device of FIG. 1 with the housing and applicator omitted. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one nail file. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the nail treatment device of FIG. FIG. 7 is an internal view of the first shell of the nail treatment device of FIG. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the slide of the nail treatment device of FIG. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view through the nail treatment device of FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view through the nail treatment device of FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the nail treatment device of FIG. 1 with the nail file having the maximum thickness housed in the chamber. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the nail treatment device of FIG. 1 without a nail file in the chamber. 13 is a diagram showing the nail treatment device of FIG. 1 partially disassembled.

  FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a nail treatment device according to a first embodiment. The device has a body 1 with a first shell 23 and a second shell 25 cooperating with each other. A chamber 7 is provided in the main body 1. The body has an end cap 27 surrounding its first shell 23 and second shell 25 at its first end. The cap includes an outlet opening 11 which is an outlet from the chamber to the outside of the device.

  A container or housing 3 that functions as a reservoir for nail treatment liquid is provided at the second end of the main body opposite to the first end. The nail treatment liquid is in particular a fungal nail treatment liquid. The housing 3 is frustoconical as shown and has a flat bottom so that it can support the body 1 when placed on a surface. The housing 3 is liquid-tight and is advantageously formed from glass and impervious to ultraviolet light.

  FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the nail treatment device of FIG. A plurality of nail files 9 are provided stacked in the chamber 7. Nail files can be removed one at a time from chamber 7 through outlet opening 11. More specifically, a dispensing mechanism 21 is provided, and the dispensing mechanism 21 operates to dispense one nail file at a time through the outlet opening 11. The dispensing mechanism will be described in detail below.

  The nail file dispenser is disposed at one end of the nail treatment device, and the housing 3 is disposed at the other end. An applicator 5 for applying the nail treatment liquid to the nail is disposed between the chamber 7 and the housing 3. The applicator 5 is attached to the main body 1, the main body is provided with a collar 17 having a shape fitting connection to the main body 1, and the applicator 5 is attached to the main body 1 by the collar 17. Yes. The applicator 5 is attached to the collar 17 by a shape-fit connection, and the annular ring 41 of the applicator 5 is housed in a complementary circumferential groove 39 on the inner surface of the collar 17. The body shells 23, 25 form a tubular skirt 42 that is received in a complementary tubular recess 44 formed in the collar 17 (see FIG. 6).

  The housing 3 is also attached to the main body 1 by a collar 17. The housing is removable from the applicator 1, and the neck of the housing 3 is provided with a male screw 43, and the male screw is screwed into the female screw 45 of the collar 17 so that the housing 3 and the collar 17 are interposed. Form a screw connection.

  The applicator includes a brush having a handle 6 and a brush head 19 at one end at one end. The brush is located in the housing 3 when the device is assembled. A sealing element 4 surrounds the handle 6 and seals the liquid in the housing 3 when the device is assembled. This seal can be hermetic. Thus, the housing has a resealable access and the liquid can be accessed by removing the brush from the housing 3.

  In order to apply the nail treatment liquid to the nail, the operator unscrews the housing 3 and removes the housing 3 from the applicator 5. The liquid in the housing 3 can be accessed and the liquid in the housing 3 can be applied to the nails using a brush. The main body 1 can function as a handle of the apparatus when applying a liquid. Alternatively, the collar 17, the applicator 5, and the housing 3 can be removed from the body 1, and the collar 17 can be used as a handle when applying liquid. When the liquid in the housing 3 is used up, the user can discard the housing 3 and use a new housing 3 filled with the liquid in the apparatus.

  FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the nail file dispenser with the housing 3 and applicator 5 omitted. The nail files 9 housed in the chamber 7 are stacked on each other. The top nail file 9 in the stack is the nail file that is dispensed first, and the bottom nail file 9 is the nail file that is dispensed last from the chamber. The bottom nail file is supported by blank 29. The blank has the same size and shape as the nail file 9. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of one nail file 9.

  A spring 30 is disposed between the blank 29 and the inner surface of the main body 1. The spring applies a biasing force to the blank 29 to press the blank 29 and thus the laminated nail file 9 toward the dispensing position. The dispense position is the position occupied by the nail file immediately before the dispensing mechanism operates to dispense the nail file from the exit opening 11. In this embodiment, the dispensing position is a position adjacent to and aligned with the outlet opening 11.

  FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view along the line BB in FIG. In order to prevent the nail file 9 from moving in the lateral direction, both sides of the nail file 9 are restricted and guided by the side arm 37. The nail file is prevented from moving away from the outlet opening 11 by an end guide 55 that is curved to receive the inner end of the nail file. In the illustrated embodiment, the end guide 55 is formed in the first shell 23 and the side arm 37 is formed in the second shell 25 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 further shows a plurality of fins 53 formed on the cap 27. The fin functions as a stopper to prevent the lower nail file from moving toward the outlet opening 11 when the top nail file is dispensed.

  FIG. 6 shows the spring 30 pressed and flat. The spring is a leaf spring 30 formed of stainless steel, which is bent when placed inside the apparatus and applies a force to bias the blank 29 upward. The spring 30 has a center hole 63 for attaching the leaf spring 30 to the first shell 23. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 7, the first shell 23 has a protrusion 59 that fits into the center hole 63 and maintains the spring in place. FIG. 7 shows that the first shell 23 includes a pair of parallel spring guide rails 61 that prevent the spring from twisting when the spring is placed on the protrusion 59.

  As can be seen from FIG. 3, the slide 13 is attached to the main body 1 and is movable in the direction indicated by the arrow 35. The slide 13 follows a linear path approaching and moving away from the exit opening 11. The slide 13 has an actuating button protruding from the main body 1, the main body 1 having an opening 47 through which the button extends, the button being along the opening during movement of the slide 13. (See FIG. 1). The slide 13 is elongate and has an abutting portion 33 at the end of the slide 13 away from the outlet opening 11, and the corresponding contacting portion engages with the inner end of the nail file 9 at the dispensing position.

  FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the slide as seen from the direction indicated by the arrow 49 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the contact portion 33 has a curved shape that can correspond to the curvature of the end portion of the nail file 9 at the dispensing position.

  To dispense the nail file, the user presses a button to move the slide 13 toward the exit opening 11. The abutting portion 33 presses the inner end portion of the nail file 9 at the dispensing position, moves the nail file toward the outlet opening 11, and passes the nail file through the outlet opening 11. The nail file protrudes from the outlet opening 11 enough for the operator to pick and remove the nail file from the chamber 7 completely. The cap fin 53 functions as a stopper to prevent movement of the remaining stacked nail files when the top nail file is dispensed. FIG. 9 shows the dispensing mechanism after the slide 13 has moved to its end position to dispense the nail file toward the exit opening 11. The device contains a nail file 9 of a certain thickness. Note that FIG. 9 shows the blank 29 in the lower position. In practice, the blank 29 will be directly adjacent to the laminated nail file, as more precisely shown in FIG.

  Once the nail file is removed, the user can return the slide 13 away from the exit opening 11. The abutment portion 33 prevents the nail file from moving to the dispensing position until the corresponding contact portion passes the nail file 9. At this point, the force of the spring 30 causes the remaining nail file 9 to move toward the dispense position, so that the next stacked nail file 9 is placed in a dispense position where it can be dispensed at any time.

  The dispensing mechanism 21 includes blocking means for preventing a user from inserting a nail file into the chamber 7. The user is instructed to move the slide 13 away from the exit opening 11 after the nail file has been dispensed, resulting in the nail file 9 being placed in the dispensing position as described above. The nail file 9 in the dispense position prevents the user from reinserting the used nail file into the chamber 7 through the outlet opening 11.

  FIG. 11 shows the dispensing mechanism after the slide 13 has moved toward the outlet opening 11. The device houses a nail file 109 that is thicker than the nail file 9 shown in the device of FIG. FIG. 11 shows the nail file with the maximum thickness that can be dispensed from the device because the thickness of the nail file 109 corresponds to the width of the outlet opening 11.

  FIG. 12 shows the device after all nail files 9, 109 have been removed. The leaf spring 30 is still in contact with the blank 29 and has a smaller radius of curvature compared to the radius of curvature when the nail file was placed in the device (see FIG. 10).

  FIG. 13 shows the device partially disassembled so that chamber 7 can be accessed and a new supply nail file can be inserted into the device. Since the collar 17, the applicator 5, and the housing 3 are removed from the main body 1, the first shell 23 can be separated from the second shell 25. This allows access to the chamber 7 in which the nail files 9 are stacked and mounted. A nail file is mounted between the side arms 37 of the second shell 25. The first shell 23 can then be assembled in place so that the end guide 55 receives the end of the nail file 9 at the end opposite the outlet opening 11. The collar 17 can then be fitted to the first housing shell 23 and the second housing shell 25. Although FIG. 13 shows the spring 30 flat, it should be noted that in practice the spring curves with a relatively small radius of curvature.

  The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Alternative configurations and suitable materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (18)

  A main body having a reservoir for nail treatment liquid, an applicator for applying the nail treatment liquid to the nail portion, a chamber in the main body, located in the chamber and from the chamber through the outlet opening A nail treatment device comprising a plurality of nail files that can be removed one at a time.   The nail treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir is formed by a housing removably connected to the body.   The nail treatment device according to claim 2, wherein the housing is connected to the main body by a screw connection.   The nail treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the applicator is detachably connected to the main body.   5. The nail treatment device according to claim 4, wherein the applicator and the housing are detached from the main body as a unit.   6. The nail treatment device according to claim 5, wherein the applicator is detachably connected to the housing.   The nail treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reservoir is disposed at one end of the main body, and the chamber is disposed at the other end of the main body.   The nail treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the applicator includes a brush.   The nail treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the nail treatment device is a fungus nail treatment device, and the nail treatment solution is a fungus nail treatment solution.   10. The nail treatment device according to claim 1, further comprising a dispensing mechanism that operates to dispense the nail file one at a time from the outlet opening.   A body, a chamber within the body for receiving a plurality of nail files and having an outlet opening, and a dispensing mechanism that operates to dispense the nail file one at a time through the outlet opening. Nail file dispensing device.   12. A device according to claim 11, comprising connecting means for connecting the body to a housing for nail treatment liquid and / or an applicator for applying nail treatment liquid to the nail portion.   13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes a biasing unit that biases the nail file toward a dispensing position.   14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises a user operable element for at least partially extruding a nail file from the chamber.   15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the element is connected to a pressing means for applying a force to the end of the nail file at the dispensing position.   16. A device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the element is a slide movable towards the outlet opening.   The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least five nail files are arranged in the chamber.   18. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising blocking means for preventing a user from reinserting a nail file into the chamber from the outlet opening.

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